From 'Plague Port' to 'Sanitary Exemplar': Insights from Xiamen's Public Health Resilience Archives
Geographic Connections Key locations mentioned: Wucun Shuanghan, Gulangyu Hezaixia, Liaozaihou, Wanggaoshi, Jinbang Mountain, Haicang Qingjiao, Tongan Dongfu, Gaoqi International Airport, and Dongdu Port. Introduction: The Tragic Memory of ‘Coffins in the Morning’ In the digital archives of Xiamen’s local chronicles, the late 19th century was a dark era. As a treaty port, Xiamen’s bustling maritime trade brought wealth, but also deadly pathogens. According to the Xiamen City Chronicles, the plague entered Xiamen via shipping from Hong Kong in 1884, with the first case recorded in Wucun Shuanghan. Over the following 68 years, Xiamen suffered 59 outbreaks, claiming 58,800 lives with a case fatality rate of 89.71%. ...